Public Statements

Hoyer Marks Third Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement marking the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act being signed into law, which is this Saturday, March 23rd:

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Maryland families and businesses are experiencing more affordable and accessible health care. Three years after this landmark legislation was signed into law, Marylanders are seeing a range of positive benefits. Seniors are saving millions on their prescription drugs, thousands of young adults can stay on their parents' health insurance, and over a million residents have received life-saving preventive services and wellness visits at no cost to them.

"I'm also pleased that Maryland is leading our country in implementing a state-based health insurance exchange, the Maryland Health Connection, which will be a one-stop, transparent marketplace where individuals and small businesses can access quality, affordable coverage.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, as well as state and local officials, to continue implementing the Affordable Care Act so we can constrain the growth of health care costs and ensure the law continues to yield benefits for families and businesses in Maryland and throughout the country."

A report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services highlights the benefits that people in Maryland have experienced since health care reform was enacted:

As of December 2011, at least 46,000 young adults under 26 gained insurance coverage through their parents' plans.

As of August 2012, over 1,400 previously uninsured residents with pre-existing conditions have gained coverage.

Since the law's enactment, people with Medicare have saved over $84.1 million on prescription drugs. In 2012 alone, nearly 49,000 Medicare beneficiaries saved over $37.5 million, an average of $768 per person.

Over 1.5 million people with private health insurance gained preventive service coverage with no cost-sharing in 2011 and 2012.

In 2012, over 543,000 Medicare beneficiaries used one or more free preventive services.

Over 141,000 Marylanders covered by private insurance plans benefitted from nearly $28 million in rebates from insurance companies in 2012 thanks to a provision that requires insurance companies that don't spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care benefits to provide consumers with a rebate or reduce premiums for the difference.